5. The four-day week did not appear to affect. Schools can save up to 20% on some budget-line expenses with a 4-day week. At my school, class went from 8:15 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. about an hour or two longer than a typical five-day-week school's day. The Pros and Cons of a Shortened School Schedule Every issue has its good and bad bits, and the same is true for districts making the switch to a shortened school week. She is the author and co-author of 12 books and serves as a consultant in K-12 and higher education. In many cases, it is in the best interests of students to reduce costs and have minimal impact on instruction. Students in a 4-day school week are packing 180 days into a condensed 145-day schedule. It might help school districts save money. recess has numerous benefits, including assisting students in reducing aggression and improving learning. Those changes happen because students who are active participants in their learning have more fun in school. The. They just dont have time to get everything done. There should be year round schooling because it can help students learn more and forget less, other classes are included and childcare is provided, teachers get more time to plan and teach lessons. A switch to a 4-day schedule gives teachers more time to use teaching styles that are more effective. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Since many of the families in these areas run farms, it gives families extra time to get work done during the week. Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to encourage students to take care of their personal property? Students are tired and cranky by the end of the day. The four-day week, according to the research, is far more cost-effective than the traditional five-day week. If practicums can be included with small group discussions, the retention rate can top 90% for some students. Kuss Middle School in Fall River, Mass., has risen from a Level 5 to a Level 1 after implementing extended learning time. This got me thinking about the pros and cons of longer vs. shorter trips. It lists the advantages of the four-day model as: Improved morale and fewer absences: A shorter working week leads to less burnout, making staff happier and more focused in . On the plus side, employees love it. Four day school weeks may not be a realistic situation for all schools throughout the nation, but for those that it is possible, the four day school week saves money, improves test scores, and further improves the school as a whole. But the extra money hasn't gone into teachers' salaries, which have dropped on average from . An understandable concern for parents, teachers, and students about the 4-day school week is the extended time required to be at school during the day. In many US school districts, the first class begins 1-2 hours after most parents need to be at work. The only students who actually get to benefit from the 4-day school week are those that do not have any extra-curricular activities in which they are involved. The Cons of Longer School Days. Recently Michael Gove raised the issue of the length of school holidays and the school day - the former are apparently too long, the latter too short. But recently, there has been a move towards shorter weeks across the United States. This means students in a district with this alternative schedule get out later for the holidays than students on the traditional Monday-Friday schedule. While some research has shown that increasing the amount of time spent in class can boost student accomplishment, these findings have been influenced by factors such as the classroom atmosphere, the quality of instruction, and students prior knowledge and abilities. 2023 The Black Well Firm. Other schools are worried about academic performance. The school day was originally created to meet the needs of farmers. In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children. Just 11 of the districts had enrollments of more than 1,000 students. Shorter school days that start later in the day could alleviate this problem, promoting healthy habits and the many benefits that go with a solid sleep routine. Teachers are attracted by the prospect of having a shorter work week. When shifted to a 4-day school week, they reported that they were forced to focus on instruction much more than they had previously. There are potential savings to food programs and other important areas of infrastructure because the school district is closed 1 additional day each week. 18 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of the Payback Period, 20 Advantages and Disadvantages of Leasing a Car, 19 Advantages and Disadvantages of Debt Financing, 24 Key Advantages and Disadvantages of a C Corporation, 16 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Mediation, 18 Advantages and Disadvantages of a Gated Community, 17 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of Focus Groups, 17 Key Advantages and Disadvantages of Corporate Bonds, 19 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of Annuities, 17 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Advertising. Colorado has nearly three-quarters of its school districts on a four-day schedule. Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. This issue occurs at all grade levels. Other popular year-round schedules are the 60-20 and 90-30 calendars, where students are in class for 60 or 90 days with vacations of 20 or 30 days respectively. Pros and Cons of a Shorter Workweek. Shortening the school day can give kids and teens more time for movement, brain breaks, and other activities that have been shown to improve learning outcomes, among other benefits.. With more room to move and less worry about following the rules in class, kids can be better equipped to focus when needed. Required fields are marked *, on Why School Days Should Be Shorter? The current school schedule is a major downgrade from the 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM distance learning schedule. Does time of day affect student learning? Wildbit, a company based in the US, a portion of whose workforce works remotely, tested the 4-day week to see whether the shorter working hours will affect employee productivity. Such as emotional and behavioral problems, violence, depression, alcohol use, impaired cognitive function, etc. Year-round education (YRE) is being considered or adopted by some districts. Easier to recruit employees. You still have to go to practice, and dont forget the piles of homework that need done. In Alabama, the school year lasts 180 days and the school day lasts 7.03 hours. These will be some pros of a four day school week. By 2013, a dramatic improvement in scores was credited to the extended learning time. A local news reporter says thevve also saved substitute teacher costs because teachers don't have to take a day off for appointments (Chiaramonte 2 ). Finally, shorter school days could result in less time for extracurricular activities, which could have a negative impact on student morale. Spread the loveFor the past few decades, our countrys educational system has seen both struggle and tremendous change. The Pros and Cons to Longer School Days. Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during . One issue that schools face today is what kind of school schedule there should be throughout the year. Companies have been experimenting with shorter work days for at least a decade and, despite announcements that the 40-hour week is dead, there have been mixed results from the experiments. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. In the United States, $17.5 billion each year is spent on school bus transportation. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. When busing and after-school activities are included in that timeframe as well, some older students may find themselves putting in 12-hour days at school every day. In return, the number of disciplinary measures can also be reduced. In this article, we will examine this question in depth. A three-day weekend allows for extra leisure time, as well as a reduction in commute and energy usage. This is one of the strongest arguments in favour of a longer school day. In New Mexico, 18 of the states 89 school districts are currently using this alternative schedule. Not only would this give everyone a 3-day weekend to enjoy, it would also limit the pressure on students and teachers to have a diversified learning experience in a compressed time period. The Rochester City Council established the Extended Learning Time initiative as part of Rochesters ongoing commitment to education. However, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with shortening the school day that should be considered before sweeping action is taken to alter the traditional school day. The ability to express oneself via electives can make children happier and more cooperative in the classroom. Better Employee Engagement A 4 day week can lead to happier and more committed employees. If you want to avoid withholding recess as punishment, consider rewarding yourself rather than punishing yourself, such as rewarding yourself with extra recess for good behavior. You are more likely to face poverty: those who drop out of school without any plans, stare at poverty in the face without the option of getting out of it. Easier to recruit employees. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. 2. The school day is too long. . Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to help students who cannot fasten their own clothes? When properly implemented, extended learning time programs have the potential to increase students academic progress as well as their social and emotional development. Schools are able to switch to a four-day week by simply increasing the length of their school day. Here are some additional key points to think about when looking at the pros and cons of a 4-day school week. According to the vast majority of states, spanking your child is against the law. These crimes occurred all during the week, Children need the opportunity to rest and re-energize, and theyre often overextended with activities, homework and part-time jobs. This would help not only our school but also the parents if they cant afford the gas. However, disabled students often face additional challenges in accessing education and achieving academic success. Teacher time will be increased when the school day is extended, allowing them to spend more time with pupils and to concentrate on problem areas and more challenging content. Longer school days may have some positive impact on student achievement, but research on their effects is lacking. Although sleep is a huge and major part, it is not the only part. As you can see, there are a lot of pros and cons to the 4-day school week, but in terms of its long-term effect on academic outcomes, the jury is still out. Employment opportunities with a 3-day weekend are increasing. The Alaska school year averaged about 180 days in length, and the school day was 6.48 hours long. Oklahoma Department of Education examined the economic effect of going to a Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less . For some, a 4-day week makes perfect sense. With the 4-day schedule, another 1.5 hours is added to their school day, every day. Practices for sports are still held on the fifth day, as are teacher conferences, staff development opportunities, and required janitorial work. Extending the school year may help make teaching a full-time, more lucrative profession for educators if year-round schools can cut costs through . Because school buses are only running 4 days per week instead of 5 days, there is the potential of reducing transportation costs by up to 20% by shifting the schedule. Rural school districts and small school districts benefit the most from a 4-day schedule because of their natural isolation. There have been several studies that reported the 4-day school week had positive effects on student's math and reading scores. Over the next three years, the school district was able to save 2% on their overall costs each year, for a total of $200,000. Disadvantage: Less time for extracurricular activities. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. It may improve overall student attendance. The Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time Initiative has already benefited 19 schools and over 10,000 students. Very Costly. In the United States, about 50% of all companies are either offering or thinking about offering a 4-day workweek for their workers. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. Staying at school for the majority of the day isn't allowing me . Elizabeth Perle 1). Lets take a look at some proof. Read the Full Transcript Judy Woodruff: For many American students and. Class runs Monday- Thursday with an added 40-60 minutes each day to compensate for the lost time by not having the schools run on Fridays. This can be due to a lack of accessible facilities and resources, or negative attitudes and misconceptions from teachers and classmates. In 1995, 84 school districts were studied that had already implemented a 4-day school week. This added Out of a budget of $5.5 million, they saved $206,000. Kids that go to schools with the 4-day week are often happier, stay happy throughout the school year, and look forward to going to school each day. When students are too tired or mentally exhausted to concentrate at the end of the day, the last hour becomes meaningless. Second, it would allow students to get more sleep, which is important for their health and well-being. Since the approach to curriculum development and pedagogical style varies by state and district, data must be disaggregated to evaluate specific impact. If school doesnt get out until 4pm, then the student makes it home at 5pm. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. There is the possibility of making up for lost time, especially those who are at a disadvantage due to the digital divide. Teachers have more time to prepare lessons and collaborate during the day. Most school districts are sticking to the 5-day schedule. There are 21 states that have four-day school districts. Spread the loveTeachers need to realize that at home, in their neighborhoods, and in school, many students face difficulties that can interfere with learning. Additional costs savings from a shorter day include less . They balk at the idea of kids attending schools with no summer break. When the new school day was implemented, the system was relieved of the need to cram math, reading, and science into a short period of time, allowing for more time to be spent on subjects that students enjoy and teachers enjoy. (5) Most costs that were reduced were Operations and maintenance, heating and cooling, janitor supplies. Next, parents would not have to get day care except on Fridays instead of the whole summer. Shorter school weeks or longer school days are reasonable solutions when there is a shortage of funding, or possible budget cuts coming to the school district. Potential for juvenile crime to increase. If so, keep reading. Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to teach students appropriate mealtime manners? It is also possible for schools to extend the school day in more districts across the country. Some school districts have reported saving 1. Spread the loveThe Talent Search Initiative has as its aim; the identification of high-performing students by organizing specific tests. Year-Round Schedules Many people think of the school year as starting in August or at the beginning of September and continuing for 10 months. There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. What are the pros and cons of shorter school week? Anecdotal evidence also suggests that attendance improves; parents and teachers can schedule doctor's appointments and other weekday commitments for Fridays rather than during school days. They dont usually run wild on the last day of school, instead working, making phone calls, or spending time with family. Increases student attendance. What we envisage may not be the most straightforward or the most conventional ideas. Four day school weeks have been discussed by many schools, and some schools already have them. The decision to implement such a schedule must therefore be handled at the local level. As with any innovation, shorter workweeks have advantages and disadvantages. Adds flexibility to teachers schedules. By having more instruction in class, students can not only get better test scores, but they can also get better grades. Cons of a Longer School Day Does Not Ensure Higher Achievement Some studies have been done that show that longer instruction time can improve achievement, but those results depend on things like classroom environment, quality of instruction, student prior knowledge and ability. What are the pros and cons of longer school days? The move toward a shorter workweek is gaining momentum. In 1095or in 1905, depending on your sourcesRoberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with inventing the concept of homework. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Delaying school start times will assist students in developing the skills required to reach their full potential. The four-day arrangement gives opportunity for students to work an extra day at an after-school job, participate in volunteer activities, or pursue further educational goals by taking advantage of the extra day. ", 21 Payday Loan Industry Statistics, Trends & Analysis, 100 Best Side Hustles for Teens to Make Money, 10 Proven Psychological Pricing Strategies with Examples, 100 Office Etiquette Rules You Need to Know, 50 Best Business Letter Closings of All-Time. Teachers would be required to reimagine their curriculum and would need extra time to develop a curriculum to fit an expanded day. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. over 1 million dollars on utilities, busing, and labor costs. To see how shorter school days hurt both teachers and students, we need to look at a major structural change in education. The 4-day schedule eliminates one full driving day for the transportation department. A low income school in New Haven, Connecticut started the new year telling students they would be attending school until 4:15 P.M. four days a week. The requirements for total education time do not change just because a school district goes to a 4-day school week. More time to focus on mental health In the typical K-12 schooling model, mental health education is too often shunted aside. Because of this, school districts dont have a hard When teachers are more effective and efficient, student performance follows a similar pattern. Eleven states set the minimum number of instructional days between 160 and 179 days, and two states set the minimum above 180 days (Kansas and Ohio). The Edvocate plans to be one of key architects of this revival, as it continues to advocate for education reform, equity, and innovation. (Lewis) In Bonneville, Idaho the school started later in the day which resulted in absences dropping 15%. Along with giving kids more time to concentrate on critical activities, a shortened school day would also provide pupils with more opportunity to relax. Longer school days make no sense when there is so much else we could be doing with our time. Schools may even have to purchase lights for after school activities. For the parents of younger students, an additional full day of daycare may need to be scheduled every week instead of a partial day. I say this because we would have to start. But slowly over the nation, schools are switching to a four day school week. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. For non year-round schools the dropout rate is 5%, which is more than all year-round schools. Spread the loveApplying for admission to professional and graduate schools is no less competitive than college/undergraduate admissions. That is because larger districts offer more activities, manage more student events, and operate essentially 7 days per week during the school year anyway. They can supervise their children at the bus stop in rural districts as well. 1. Pro: In 2004, the school day was lengthened for a Massachusetts school to address the issue of underperforming students. Some are even cutting arts programs or shortening the school week to balance the budget. 2. Since an entire day is cut off the week, that extra time needs to be made up during the remaining four days. They also said students can gain more time for fun and still receive an excellent education. List of Cons of Implementing 4-Day School Weeks 1. Con: A longitudinal study in New Mexico looked at the performance difference in K-3 students from seven different school districts. Moving to the 4-day schedule shifts student movement patterns, reducing the number of lost transition minutes. According to the findings, relocating some math classes to the morning and other subjects, such as English, to the afternoon might result in an increase in students GPAs and test outcomes. You have a lifespan that is nine years less than people who graduate: Statistically, you may have a shorter lifespan than people who have gone to school and have been empowered. Students follow the same type of pattern. Many schools are, in fact, offering year-round services now to accommodate the changing needs of their communities. I believe that if we go to a four day school week that it would help the kids physically, mentally, and financially. Sara Blackwell teaches Employment Law at University of South Florida in Tampa and she is a published author. Opportunity to relax and really immerse yourself in the experience. 1. school schedules from 5 to 4 days. Shorter, intense courses in which a semesters worth of content is delivered at an expedited rate were deemed to be more successful by students in a recent study by academics at the University of Texas at Austin. It also means that they would have more time to mark the voluminous quantity of homework that they have to complete every night. A small portion of the districts cash is saved, but not as much as intangibles. When I was a teacher, many moons ago, this was a fringe schooling schedule only practiced by rural school districts. The Chattooga County School District reported similar results from their trial with this schedule as well. One way to address these issues is to shift the traditional school schedule into a 4-day week. Advantage: More time for other subjects. School districts consider shorter school days for several reasons, including saving money and providing students the ability to participate in more extracurricular activities. Harvest times were set in the old way and still are when most school calendars are set up, when the United States was a farm country. Some research indicates there may be slight academic benefits to extending the school day. Pros of Year-Round School. His conclusion was that the best way to solve poverty was to educate the children in public schools. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. The final class ends 1-2 hours before the work day ends for most parents. How do longer school days affect students? the fifth day, but they forget, they will still be open and running activities What Grades Is Elementary School? The only question is does it hurt students education but the statistics are showing that is clearly not the case one bit. These actions often negate the benefits of the 3-day weekend because it really isnt a true 3-day weekend. 1. It can help teachers and students better manage the process of learning. Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. The districts on the 4-day school week are finding it easier to recruit for the staff they need because they offer the prospect of a 3-day weekend during the school year. School Evaluation For Special Education What Parents Need to Know, Effectively Educating Diverse Student Populations: Strategies That Work - Applead Hofu, The Importance Of Sight Words In Early Reading GoGreenva.org, Online Education in Chennai - Birla Brainiacs, Advancing Technology Education in Rural High Schools Across - The Tech Edvocate - VSAY .IN.
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